WASHINGTON, August 18, 2011- Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host an on-the-record media call to announce new investments in rural America and to give a recap of the White House Rural Economic Forum that was held with President Obama in Peosta, Iowa this week. The Forum brought together farmers, small business owners, private sector leaders, rural organizations, and government officials to discuss ideas and initiatives to promote economic growth, accelerate hiring, and spur innovation in rural communities nationwide.

The 31 state and Puerto Rico receiving support from USDA include : Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia.

Thursday, August 18
11:30 a.m. (EDT)

WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack will host a media call to announce new investments and to give recap of the White House Rural Economic Forum.

DIAL IN: 1-800-857-5233

Passcode: USDA (Given Verbally)

Troubleshooting: 202-720-8560

All callers using the above pass code will be placed in listen only mode. To join the Q&A portion of the meeting, these callers are instructed to press *1 on their touch tone phone.

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The work of two local artists will go on display at the Phoenix Gallery in Moline in an opening reception scheduled for Friday, August 26.  Artists Zachary Cleve and Emma Farber are proud to present "Stepping in, Looking Through," a two-person fine arts exhibition with paintings that explore themes of isolation, obstacles, communication and personal development. The opening reception will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, and is open to the public.

The work will be up from Friday, August 26 to Saturday, October 29. The gallery hours are Wednesday, 6-9pm, Thursday 6-9 (for viewing only), and Friday and Saturday, 6pm to midnight. The Phoenix Gallery is at 1530 Fifth Avenue, Moline, Illinois.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to account for serious allegations that case-related document destruction might have compromised enforcement in cases involving suspicious activity at major banks and hedge funds. 

"From what I've seen, it looks as if the SEC might have sanctioned some level of case-related document destruction," Grassley said.  "It doesn't make sense that an agency responsible for investigations would want to get rid of potential evidence.  If these charges are true, the agency needs to explain why it destroyed documents, how many documents it destroyed over what timeframe, and to what extent its actions were consistent with the law."

Grassley's inquiry to the SEC came after an agency whistleblower sent a letter to Grassley describing "the SEC's unlawful destruction of the federal records generated in at least 9,000 informal investigations."  The documents are said to support "matters under inquiry," which is the first step in investigating a case that may or may not lead to a formal investigation.  After reviewing the whistleblower's letter and supporting documents, Grassley sent a letter to the SEC, asking for a full accounting of any document destruction policies, including whether the allegations are correct that the SEC destroyed documents related to Bernard Madoff, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, Lehman Brothers, and SAC Capital.

Grassley wrote in his letter to SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro, "If (the whistleblower's) allegations are correct, the intentional destruction of at least 9,000 MUIs would appear to greatly handicap the SEC's ability to create patterns in complex cases and calls into question the SEC's ability to properly retain and catalog documents."

Grassley is a long-time advocate for whistleblowers and in addition, has a longstanding interest in whether the SEC fulfills its role of protecting consumers from securities fraud.

Most recently, he sought information from the SEC on how the agency handled 65 referrals from an industry regulatory organization regarding suspicious activity at SAC Capital. 

Grassley's letter to the SEC chairman is available here.

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MILWAUKEE, WI - Bicycling is a healthy way to experience the outdoors and incorporate physical activity into an individual's daily life.  It's a flexible activity - not limited to certain ages or intensity levels - that keeps people moving, helps with weight control, and provides enjoyment.  With summer in full swing, TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, offers tips for safe cycling.  Whether you are a member of TOPS or not, use these ideas to stay fit and cycle sensibly.

1. Good fit makes you fit. When choosing a bike, make sure the frame is appropriate.  To find the right fit, straddle the bike and stand flatfooted.  There should be at least one inch of clearance between your groin and the top tube and two inches on a mountain bike.

2. Location, location, location. The handlebars and seat should be positioned correctly for a comfortable, optimal ride.  The seat should be located high or low enough so each knee is bent only slightly at the bottom of each rotation.   Seats are not "one size fits all" and should be appropriate to your build and riding situation.

3. You're not as hardheaded as you think. Always wear a helmet when you ride.  This simple rule protects you from head trauma and brain injury.  The helmet should have a bright, visible color and snug fit that covers as much of your head as possible.

4. Nighttime is not the right time. Avoid riding your bike at night.  Most cycling accidents occur between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. when light levels are low.  If you must ride in low-light conditions, wear brightly colored, reflective gear and install a bright headlight and blinking red taillight for better visibility.

5. Give your brakes a break. Gently and firmly pump brakes at the same time.  Don't squeeze the brakes too hard - and never squeeze the front brake first.

6. Know the rules of the road. Attach a rear-view mirror to your helmet, handlebar, or eyewear.  Ride with traffic, obey all traffic rules, and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other vehicles.  Observe your surroundings and communicate with drivers, using hand signals and eye contact.

7. What's your hurry? If you're out of shape or unaccustomed to riding, start slowly.  Thirty minutes on a flat terrain is a good way to start for the first few weeks.  Gradually work up to greater intensity and hillier terrain for better workouts.

8. Be kind to your body. Cycling should not involve stress or strain.  Keep your arms and shoulders relaxed and avoid locking your elbows.  Shift your hand and body positions frequently.

9. Share the ride. Riding with another person - or as part of a group - can motivate you to become a better cyclist and make the miles fly by more quickly.

10. Variety is the spice of life. Cycling should not be your only workout.  It is not a weight-bearing exercise, so be sure to vary your fitness routine with walking, weightlifting, and other activities.

TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the original, nonprofit weight-loss support and wellness education organization, was established more than 63 years ago to champion weight-loss support and success.  Founded and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, TOPS promotes successful, affordable weight management with a philosophy that combines healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness information, and support from others at weekly chapter meetings. TOPS has about 170,000 members in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8677.

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